





UNDER THE UURELS, 



A Drama In Five Acts, 



y. ^. PSJMIPOJM. 



I=>E.IOE 15 OBISTTS. 



Chicago: 
T. S. DENIS ON. 



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New Amateur Plays. 



less. 



Price 15 Cents Each, Postage Paid. 

These plays have been written by authors of extended experience, expressly 
to meet the wants of amateur clubs, literary and temperance societies, and for 
school and church entertainments. They are ingenious in plot, entertaining in 
incidents, and so easy in presentation that no society however little expeiienced* 
can fail to make them at all times highly entertaining. The plays in this list 
require no scenery or special stage apparatus. They are pure in tone and lan- 
guage. 

" If the succeeding numbers are as good as the first, we predict for them a large 
demand." — National Teachers'' Monthly, N. Y. and Chicago. , 

"The farces are full of fvm.'''— Daily Inter-Ocean, Chicago. 

"These plays are supplying the dearth of good literature in this department."— 
N. T. School Bulletin. 

" The publisher of these plays deserves a vote of thanks from all who are at 
p^7 !;'me called upon to give a school or social exhibition."— iVorma^ Monthly 
Reviei>.\ 

" Your plays are new and novel, aud admirably adapted to the use of 
amateurs."— W. 0. Dyke, West Qorham, Me. 

" Having used several of your plays, I find them unequaled."— if. L. Spooner, 
Rushford, N. Y. 

ODDS WITH THE ENEMY. 

A drama in five acts ; 7 male and 4 female characters. Leading man, villain, 
darkey comedian, dandy, leading lady, walking lady and soubrette. Time 2 
hours. Scenes, a well furnished room and a poorly furnished room. 

"It took splendidly. 'Tabbs' made it spicy."— <7. JEJ. Rogers, Dunkirk, Ind. 

SETH GREENBACK. 

A drama in four acts ; 7 male and 3 female. Miser, villains, Irish comedian, 
.eading lady, soubrette, and Msh girl. Time, 1 hour 1.5 m. Scenes interior. 

"Seth Greenback was a perfect success. It can't be beat as an amateur 
drama."— M^^; //. Talbott, Coatsville, Ind., Dramatic Club. 

This play is always a favorite. It has no reference to politics, as its name 
might imply. 

WANTED, A COBBESrONDENT. 

A farce in two acts ; 4 male and 4 female. Time, 45 m. Very interesting and 
amusing. 

INITIATING A GBANGEB. 

A ludicrous farce; 8 male. Time, 25 m. 

" We used Initiating a Granger. It was laughable beyond description."— J". W. 
Jimmons, Lawrence^ Mich. 

A FA MIL Y STBIKE. 

A spicy farce, illustrating " strikes ;" 3 male aud 3 female. Time, 20 m. Amue 
Ing mistakes lead to a domestic strike, and the strike itself is misunderstood. 



Under the Laurels 



A Drama in Five Acts, 



By T. S. DENISON, 



Odds with the Enemy; Initiating a Granger; Wanted, A Corre^ondent; A Fam- 
ily Strike; Seth Greenback; Hans Von Smash; Borrowing Trouble; Two 
Ghosts in White; The Pull- Back; Country Justice; The Assessor! 
The Sparkling Cup; Louva the Pauper ; Our Country; 
The School- Ma" am; The Kansas Immigrants; 
The Jvish Linen Peddler; 2s the Editor 
Inf An Only Dauphter ; Pets of 

Society ; Too Much of a ' 

Good Thing; Hard 
Cider, Etc., 



CHICAGO : 

T. S. DENISON. 



Copyright, 1881, by T. S. Denison. 

■jei 1 1 



CHARACTERS. 

MRS. MILFORD. PRANK COLEWOOD 

ROSE MILFORD. IKE HOPPER. 

POLLY DOWLER. BOB BUTTON. 

SOOKY BUTTON. ZEKE. 

KYLE ("Ky.") BRANTFORD. . SHERIFF. 



COSTUMES— Modern. 



STAGE DIRECTIONS, 



R means right as the actor faces the audience ; li, left, C, center, etc. 

Note— Lightning may he produced hy blowing finely powdered rosin 
into a candle flame. Thunder by rattling a large piece of sheet iron. Raiu 
hy allowing beans to fall through a long narrow box studded on the bottom 
with pegs or with oblique partitions leaving a narrow opening on opposite 
sides alternately. Moonlight may be produced by the strong white light 
01 a burning tableau powder. 



SYNOPSIS. 



ACT I. 

The Milford Estate. The Contested Will. Conspiracy of Brantford and 
Mrs. Milford. 

ACT II. 

The will set aside. Frank and Rose penniless. Brantford's annoying 
attentions to Rose. Quarrel of Frank and Brantford. The latter plots ven- 
geance. Bob Button, the spy. Rose's humiliating situation as a menial. 

ACT III. 

Meeting of the Regulators at the Haunted cabin. Ike and Zeke concealed 
to listen. Their great danger. Scene II.— Cliflville jail. Frank under 
arrest. Assailed by Bob Button. Desperate encounter. Frank escapes, 
and soon Rose enters to release him. Button's triumph cut short by the 
timely arrival of Ike and Zeke. Storm scene. The flight. 

ACT IV. 

Brantford's absolute power over the Milford family. His continued at- 
tentions to Rose. His threats to foreclose the mortgage. 

ACT V. 

Attempted escape of Rose. Her re -capture. Brantford's triumph sud- 
denly ended by a sheriff's posse. Happy denouement. 



UNDER THE LAURELS. 



ACT I. 

Scene.— if ^7/(97'(^'s parlor. A room elegantly furnished, indicat- 
ing wealth and refinevient. Windoic in flat G. A handsome center 
table by window. Chairs on either side of table, and JR. and L. 
'Cases, books, etc. Seated Mrs. Milford ami Rose in conversation 
as the curtain rises. 

Mrs. M. Rose, has Mr. Brantforcl arrived yet ? 

Rose. I think not, mother. He was not in sight down the 
road a moment ago. I told Zeke to show him in at once 
when he came. 

Mrs M. That was right. Rose. I am anxious to see him. 
These business aflairs are very perplexing, and Mr. Brantford is 
such a help to us. 

B. I do not like him, mother. I think it would be prudent 
to watch him a little. 

Mrs. M. Rose, I am grieved to see that you are suspicious. 
Mr. Brantford has helped me greatly to arrange our affairs since 
my husband's death. His sympathy and kindness have been 
doubly grateful to me since things have not turned out as I hoped 
they would. Rose. 

B. Mother, I am very sorry you are dissatisfied with the 
terms of father's will. A small portion would have satisfied 
me. But it is all yours, mother, while you live. 

Mrs. M. It would have been more fitting if the will had so 
stated it. Mr. Milford must surely have been laboring under a, 
strange delusion, to leave the bulk of his property to you who 
were not his child, while his wife got only a third, and another 
heir nothing. Remembar, Rose, you were only an orphan who 
found a home with my husband's family. Why should you 
claim so large a portion of his fortune? Frank Colewood's 
right is just as good as yours. 

B. (Brushing away a tear.) Mother, I know I was only a 
friendless orphan, but Mr. Milford was a kind father to me, and 
his wife was a gentle mother. They had no children, but I did 
not ask their wealth. I would willingly divide with Frank, but 
I cannot bear to hear father accused of unfairness. He was too 



4 • UNDER THE LAURELS. 

good. Frank never came to live with us till a year or two 
before you came. 

Mrs. M. Child, I accuse no one. Doubtless your father's 
untimely death prevented his latest wishes from being carried 
into effect. 

B. Mother, there is enough for all. Why should we disagree 
about it? I would willingly give up allto you were it possible. 
There is much yet to be arranged before the estate is finally 
settled. 

Mrs. M. Mr. Brantford is rendering important aid. 

M. Has he paid over all the money he has collected? 

Mrs.M. No; he has collected sufficient to settle his own 
claims against the estate. You know that he and Mr. Milford 
entered into a partnership in the cattle business, and that Brant- 
ford advanced most of the money. That must be repaid, 

B. 1 don't believe that Ky. Brantford advanced the money. I 
think he is a dishonest man. 

Mrs. M. Rose, you are too young to express such decided 
opinions, especially on subjects which you do not understand. 
{Exit Mrs. if., B.) 

B. I know when I like people and when I don't, and 1 don't 
like Kyle Brantford, that's sure. Father hinted to me more 
than once that Brantford was not above suspicion. It is a shame 
to squabble over dead people's property! I hate it! 

Enter Frank L. 

Frank. What is that you hate so energetically, Rose ? 

B. Oh, nothing! 

F. Can you as truthfully say, oh, nobody ? 

B. No, I can't I It's Ky. Brantford, if you must know, 
Frank. 

F. Well, Rose, all I can say is I think he is a villain. Beware 
of Ky. Brantford ! 

B. Frank, I am worried nearly to death. If it wasn't for 
you I don't know what I should do: 

F. Probably you could get along well enough without me, 
but I should miss the budding " Mountain Rose." You have 
been a true sister to me since I came here a friendless orphan 
eight years ago. 

B. Oh, those happy years! I scarcely dare think of them. 
They recall so vividly the uncertainties of the present. Mother 
is very much dissatisfied of late with her portion. 

F. She has evil counsel. Ky. Brantford is plotting mischief. 

B. Others have more right to complain than she. (A pause.) 
Oh, Frank ! why were you not mentioned in the will ? 

F. The reason is plain. Rose — or perhaps it would be best 
now to say Miss Milford— Mr. Milford loved you dearly as his 
own child. 



UNDER THE LAURELS. 6 

M. And so lie loved you. Frank, your formality pains me. It 
is out of place between us. 

F. Yes, Rose, if we were to continue as brother and sister, 
but the time has come when we can no longer continue our past 
relations. I am only the poor boy still, while you are the 
daughter and the heiress. 

M. Frank, your manner is unkind. 

F. (Bitterly.) It is so ! My position in the world is yet to 
win. Yours is already won. If Mr. Milford had wished it 
otherwise he would have spoken. Perhaps it is better as it is 
after all. 

jR. Frank, I cannot bear to hear you speak so. Only wait till 
everything is settled, and you shall have your share. 

F. Share! I claim no share. 1 worked for wages and I got 
them. I make no complaint. Waiting brings me nothing that 
I prize. 'Tis a short time at least till I must seek my fortune 
elsewhere, so I might as well go at once. 

B. Frank, don't go. We need you. Please don't think of it. 
{Goaxingly.) Won't you stay ? 

F. Rose, it is hard to refuse. 

B. You will not refuse your sister ? 

F. {fuming away^ aside.) Sister! I hate that word. Shall I 
tell her all ? {To Bose.) My decision has been reached. Why 
tarry? 

Enter Polly, B, unobserved. 

B. (Thoughtfully.) If you must leave I wish you success 
wherever you go. I am grieved that you will not stay, but as 
soon as it can be arranged half of all I own shall be yours. 

F. Thank you. Rose, thank you. Your offer is a generous 
one. 

B. (Eagerly.) And you will stay ? 

F. No! 

Polly. Frank Colewood, you are a dunce. (Bose starts.) 

F. Thank you, Polly, for your opinion ; unlike yourself, it is 
plain. 

P. And why is it like Miss Rose? 

F. I give it up. 

P. Because it is true. 

B. Don't flatter me, Polly. 

F. Polly, you are brushing up your wits pretty lively. 

P. Yes, and I'll brush them up till I've convinced you that 
you are a dunce for leaving a good home. 

B. I wish you could convince him. 

P. Miss Rose, if you will just step into the kitchen and 
watch my cake a few minutes, I'll see if I can't find that needle 
cushion I lost yesterday. I must have it. 

B. Very good, Polly, I'll mind your cake, just five minutes, 
remember. (Exit Bose B.) 



6 UNDER THE LAUBELS. 

F. Now, Polly, let us skirmish around after that needle 
cushion. 

P. Pshaw, Frank, I'm not going to look for any needle 
cushion. I reckon you'll not get mad if I tell you something. 

F. Not unless it's something calculated to stir a fellow up 
pretty badly. 

P. Oh, it is not bad at all. You see I have been about the 
house so long that I feel like one of the family. 

F. Oh, don't spare my feelings. I'm only a hired man now. 

P. But you might be more. 

F. What do you mean ? 

P. I mean you are in love with Rose. Why don't you marry 
her instead of talking about leaving ? 

F. Polly, I shall never be a pensioner on ' any woman's 
bounty. 

P. Frank Cole wood, I told you you were a dunce. 

F. I haven't denied it, Polly. 

P. Then claim your own. Isn't the property as much yours 
as Rose's? Did not Mr. Milford always say so? She is an 
adopted daughter; you are an adopted son. 

F. His will don't say so ! 

P. That will was made several years ago. Besides nobody 
seems to understand it. 

F. I will abide by it, and I don't believe Mrs. Milford can 
break it. 

P. I'm afraid they will do something that is not right. Mrs. 
Milford is a good enough sort of person as things go, but that 
Ky. Brantford is a — a — 

F. Villain! 

P. That's the word I wanted. Strange I couldn't think of it 
He's too cute to be honest. Frank, do you love Rose ? 

F. I would die for her. 

P. Nonsense, what would be the use of dyin' for her? Live 
for her, and don't talk of runnin' away when there is danger. 

F. Running away ? Is that what you call it ? I thought you 
knew me better. 

P. I didn't mean to offend you, Frank, but unless I miss my 
guess, there's goin' to be right "^smart o' trouble here. I've hearn 
things maybe you don't hear. That Bob Button is not the truest 
man in the world. Don't you tell him anything. This family 
needs friends. 

F. Everybody needs them. 

P. Yes, but good friends. Frank, it is your duty to stay. 

F. Do you think so ? 

P. When Mr. Milford was thrown from his horse, and lay 
dying under the laurel bushes, with no one there but you and a 
stranger, did he not give you a charge? 

F. Yes, his last words were " Frank, take care of the family, 
(aside) and marry Rose." {Aloud.) The family is able to take 
care of itself. 



UNDER THE LAURELS. 



Enter Bob Button, Z, unobserved. 

P. No, there is danger ahead. Don't go. 

F. Well, I'll not go, Polly. I'll stay and see things in better 
shape. {Sees Boh.) Oh, are you here Button ? 

P. {Quickly passing Fi'ank to B.) Oh, dear, he has heard me. 
{Exit, B.) 

F. Button, what do you want ? 

B. I guess you had better lay off some more work. I'm done 
fixin' that wall. 

F. Where is Zeke ? 

B. He is not back from the post-office. 

F. It takes that nigger a long time to go to the post-office. 
Can you replace the barn door yourself, Bob ? 

B. I 'low not, Mr. Colewood. 

F. Then I'll help you myself. {Exit both, L.) 

Enter Poi.ly, B. 

P. Thank goodness he didn't hear any more than he did. He's 
a regular spy. Kow I must put this room to rights. Missus 
Milford says company's coming. {Dusts furniture mgorously.) 

Enter Ike Hopper, B. 

Ike. How dye do, Polly V {Stands holding Ms straw hat) 

P. {Ea/rdly looking up.) I'm well enough. 

/. I reckon so, Polly. Been that way long ? 

P. Don't bother me Ike, I'm in a dreadful hurry to get this 
room put to rights. Why did you come right into this room ? 

I. I saw Rose Milford in the kitchen and she 'lowed I could see 
you if I came right in hyar. {Pinches Polly's arm.) Say, can I 
see you ? 

P. Yes, and hear me, too, if you don't behave. But what 
made you call at this time of day, Mr. Hopper ? 

I. Mr. Hopper! Gosh! that fairly takes my breath, Polly. 
Why, Jerusalem ! you'll be caUin' me 'Squire Hopper next. Polly, 
you an' me don't need to pile it on quite so thick as that. 

P. {Bather curtly.) Speak for yourself, Isaac Hopper. 

I. Now, Polly, don't get your dander up. I didn't mean 
anything. 

P. I don't like to see people act silly. 

I. Neither do I. Don't you tell anybody and I won't. Polly, 
that's a mighty nice dress you have on. {Slips close beside her.) 
That kaliker must a cost twelve and a half cents a yard. {Feels 
her sleeve.) It's good stuff. {Pinches lier arm) 

P. Twelve and a half cents ! A sight you ' know about 
women's clothes. It cost twenty cents, Ike, trimmin's extra. 



8 UNDER THE LAURELS. 

/. Well, it looks pooty, but that's an awful waste of money. 

P. Do you like it, Ike ? 

I. You're right I do. It's the nicest thing I've seen for a 
long time. {PuU Ms arm around her.) Polly, do you kjiow what 
I came in from work just now for ? 

P. No ! What did you come for ? 

I. {Puzzled.) I came for — for— what the deuce did I come for? 
Oh, I came to inquire about yer horse rake ! 

P. My horse rake ? 

I. No, I meant the family horse rake. 

P, Then you had better go to the barn .if you want the horse 
rake. ( Withdraws from him.) 

I, No, I meant the horse radish. {Pronounce reddish.) I 
knowed it was something found in the kitchen. Polly do you 
like horse radish ? 

P. Middlin' like. Do you? 

J. {Gets close to Polly again.) Yes siree, I like everything 
that is good. {Suddenly steals a kiss.) 

Enter Zeke, suddenly^ B. 

P. {Slaps Ike ha/rd.) How do you like that ? 

I, {Sees Zeke.) M iss Dowler, when you try to dig a hay seed 
out o' my eye, I wish you would be a little more keerful. {Claps 
handkerchief to his eyes.) 

Zeke. Say, Massa Hopper, are you shore dat was a hay pod ? 
Wasn't it a little piece of horse radish? Dat's mighty lively 
medicine to get into de eyes. 

I. Why, is that you Zeke? I thought I heard the door 
open. 

P. Did you get any letters for me, Zeke ? 

I. De train done left de track down de river, an' de mail was 
desput skerse to day, so I jes' went into de drug grocery an' got 
some medicine pamphlidges. Got one apiece. Miss Polly. 
Heah*s you's. {Rands one to Polly.) 

P. Git out with your almanix. 

Z, Massa Hopper, have one? 'Spect it tells when to pull 
de horse radish. 

I. Yes, I'll take one. {Takes almanac, opens and reads.) " Nig- 
ger invented, year one. First wool crop, same year. 

Z. Dat's a berry good crop. Mighty sight surer nor cotton. 

P. Do stop your nonsense, Zeke. Did you see anyone coming 
as you came in ? 

Z. Yes, seed Massa Brantford ride up to de front gate. 

I. Plague his skin! 

Z. What you gwine to plague his skin for? 

/. Because it's good for nothing else. 

P. You and Zeke must go at once. Mrs. Milford may come 
down any minit 



UNDER THE LAURELS. 9 

L All right, then, here goes. Good bye, Polly. (Throws 
a Tciss. Zeke throws a Mss, unseen by Ike, with extramtgant gestures, 
and Folly gives him a violent blow loith the broom handle.) 

Z. Polly, I dropped sumfin'. Did you find it ? (Bxit hastily 
L as Polly dives at him again.) 

P. Good gracious ! I wish it was slavery tinies and I was that 
nigger's boss. He's the tormentenest thing ! {Bell heard.) Just 
hear that bell ! Brantford always rings it as if he owned the 
whole plantation. {Exit Polly, L.) 

Enter Polly, L, showing in Ky. Brantford. 

Brantford. Polly, will you have the kindness to inform Mrs. 
Milford that I am waiting? 

P. Yes, sir. {Exit, L.) 

B. {Pacing floor.) All goes well; I could not wish it better. 
Milford's debtors are liberal and pay promptly and the estate is 
in no hurry to ask me to settle up. It's mighty lucky I have 
influence with the county court. If the young lady, the sweet 
Mountain Rose, is disposed to listen to my suit I will have the 
will approved and the property will be hers and mine. Knot, 
it shall be mine. I rather think the widow^ Cares something for 
me, and it is just as well for the present that she does. Ha! its 
better to be born lucky than rich, that I can swear to, for my 
luck has never deserted me. 

Enter Mrs. Milford, L. 

Mrs. M. Good afternoon, Mr. Brantford, I am very glad to see 
you. 

B. Good day, Mrs. Milford, I hope I have not kept you in 
suspense ? 

Mrs. M. Oh, no ! but I expected you a little earlier. Have a 
seat. {They take seats R and L of table.) 

B. We will proceed at once to business. I have little news 
for you. I am still endeavoring to collect some of those doubtful 
claims of your husband's. I am getting along fairly well, but 
people are dreadful slow pay nowadays. As you know, your 
husband's sudden death prevented the final settlement of our 
partnership in the cattle business. A very pretty sum was due 
me, and I am just paying myself, so to speak. I will render a. 
statement of transactions any time you wish it. 

Mrs. M. There is no need of hurry at all in the matter. You 
are a business man, and everything is safe in«your hands. 

B. Oh, perfectly safe, madam, still business is business, and 
it would be well for you to look a little after your own 
affairs. 

Mrs. M. It is unnecessary when I have such excellent assist 
ance always at hand. 



10 UNDER THE LAURELS. 

B. You flatter me, Mrs. Milford, but I shall try to do the best 
I can. 

Mrs. M. You were at Cliffville to-day I believe, Mr. Brantford. 
Did you learn anything new in regard to our will case ? 

B. Very little. The case which should have been disposed of 
months ago will soon come before the court. I think' it safe to 
say, that under circumstances which may be fully shown in the 
testimony, the will is certain to be set aside. 

Mrs. M. You mean that it may easily be proved that my 
husband never legally adopted Rose as his daughter? 

B. Hum — yes, the testimony may show that. 

Mrs. M. It must show it. Then if Rose is not an heir, 
neither is Frank, and the property is all mine. 

B. Still, the children might reasonably expect something, but 
that could all be safely left to your generosity. No one doubts 
your sense of justice in this matter. 

Mrs. M. I should of course make some provision for them. 
Frank Colewood would ask nothing and Rose could not expect 
to occupy the station she has usurped. I certainly do not 
consider her my daughter. However, she may stay if she 
wishes. 

B. I should think a small sum in ready cash would induce 
Frank to go elsewhere and set up for himself. 

Mrs. M. Would you advise me to let him go ? 

B. I certainly should advise it. 

Mrs. M. I have always considered Frank an honest young 
man. 

B. Doubtless he is honest. But remember, Mrs. Milford, he 
was a waif. You don't know his antecedents, and you can't 
tell what danger may lurk in his character. Blood will tell. 

Mrs. M. True, I had not thought of that. I will hint the 
matter to him. 

B. Never hint anything in business. Discharge him. By the 
way, how do you like that new man I sent you, Bob Button ? 

Mrs. M. Frank says he is a strong hand. That is all I know 
about him. 

B. He is a good fellow. Keep him by all means.- He can 
oversee the plantation when Frank leaves. That reminds me I 
wish to see Bob before I go. 

Mrs. M. {Bising.) I will have him called. 

B. No, don't take that trouble, I will see him as I leave. 

Mrs. M. He is splitting kitchen wood, I think ; it is no 
trouble to call him. {Exit Mrs. M., R.) 

B. I must see tlfe Mountain Rose before I go and settle 
matters at once. I have wealth, health and strength. All I 
need is a wife. The grass of many summers has grown over the 
grave of the first Mrs. Brantford, the wife of my boyhood. God 
bless her, she was a true loving wife, and 1— (stops short) let 
that pass now. I can't expect much love for I am incapable of 



UNDER THE LAURELS. 11 

feeling any, but I will try to secure beauty. I fancy I am no bad 
figure yet, with, my forty years. Beauty and money are trump 
<jards in matrimony. 

Enter Bob R. 

Bab. Mrs. Milford said you wanted to see me, Ky. 

B. Ky I is that your style of address when you are in the 
company of ladies and gentlemen? 

Bob. That's what they call you in some other company I 
know of, Ky. Brantford. 

B. Hold your tongue ! You are here to hear not to speak. 

Bob. (Doggedly.) I reckon maybe the time'll come when, 
you'll want me to talk. 

B. Well, what have you to say ? 

Bob. (With a sneer.) 1 thought you'd change your tune before 
long. 

B. Button, can't you learn civility ? 

Bob. I might from a civil master, Brantford. "We've had right 
smart dealin's in our time. Some of 'em the less said about the 
better. 

B. Then don't mention them ! Don't I pay well ? But I don't 
pay you to tell me what I know already. 

Bob. I 'spose your pay is good enough. I reckon it might be a 
leetle bigger. But it ain't that I care for. We've learned down 
south hyar that when one man plays master somebody else must 
play slave. Brantford, I ain't a nigger, and I ain't exactly poor 
white trash, nuther. 

B. All right, Bob. Let that go. I was only giving you a lit- 
tle advice. But I see you are not inclined to take it. Have you 
anything to report ? 

Bob. Nuthin' worth mentionin'. 

B. Watch Frank Colewood and learn his plans. Get his con- 
fidence. 

Bob. I ain't the man to get his confidence. He's poor but 
dev'lish proud. He wants to sort with fine folks. 

B. Let him, if he can. Asa Milford isn't backing him now. 

Bob. I heard this mornin'' that he wanted to leave and the 
women folks wouldn't let him. 

B. Who? 

Bob. Rose and Polly Dowler. 

B. Hum! Indeed! (Voices heard outside.) Bob, I hear Miss Mil- 
ford. Go, at once ! I want to speak to her. (Exit Bob L.) I'll 
soon see who is to win her. She is worth a struggle. 

Enter Rose, B. 

B. Good afternoon. Miss Milford! 
B. Good afternoon, Mr. Brantford! 



13 UNDER THE LAURELS. 

B. I have not seen you for some time. You improve every 
day. 

R. {Seating herself hy talle) Indeed ! 

B. {Seating himself opposite.) Quite true! No empty com- 
pliments I assure you. Tlie rose on tlie mountain is not more 
lovely than its namesake in the valley. 

B. Mr. Brantford, a neat compliment from a friend is always 
acceptable to a vs^oman, but wholesale praises lack as much in 
true politeness as they do in good taste. {Rises) 

B. Really, I expressed only the admiration that I feel. I had 
hoped that my long acquaintance with your estimable father, and, 
my frequent visits here justified me in saymg so. In fact, I have 
not told half the admiration I feel. 

B. {Hastily.) No further explanation is necessary. Your 
apology is ample. I presume you wish to see my mother on 
business. 

B. {Aside) Apology I Hang it ! {Aloud) Now, Miss Rose, 
isn't it too hard to condemn a fellow to talk business forever ? 
{Laughs) Surely it is ! I wish to converse with you on a more 
agreeable subject. I want a wife. It is a little sudden, but I'll 
give you time to think over it. 

B. Mr. Brantford, I am surprised at such an avowal from 
your lips. There is no need for time to reflect. It can never be. 

B, Oh, don't be in a hurry about deciding. Such things re- 
quire time. 

B. {Spiritedly) But I say it requires no time. I beg of you, 
Mr. Brantford, that you will never mention this subject to me 
again. 

B. I see some trifling objections to such a match. But the 
advantages, I think, overbalance them. True, I am some twenty 
years older than you, but I think I am a pretty good man yet, 
and there may be worse looking fellows of twenty-five. 

B. I was not thinking of your years at all. Mr. Brantford, 
this is not a pleasant subject. 

B. Something of a surprise, of course! So we'll just defer it, 
with a few more words. As for love, I do not see that it differs 
from mere sentiment, and sentiment in matrimony is not half as 
good as common sense. I esteem you veiy highly and I have no 
doubt you would, in time, think me a model husband. You have 
money, so have I. 

B. No more, sir! Mr. Brantford, you compel me to do what 
I otherwise should never have done ; I don't like you. Let me 
tell you once for all, that I despise you. 

B. {Nettled) Despise! Ah, you are a trifle sarcastic, I think. 

B. You wrung it from me. 

B. You^re young, and I forgive you. The time may come 
when you will change your mind. Think it over. 

Enjer Mrs. M. B, 



UNDER THE LAURELS. 13 

<xOod. bye, Rose ! {Seizes her hand and kuses it. Does not see Mrs. 
M.) 

B. Mr. Brantford ! {B. exits suddenly L. saying ^^Oood lye^) 

Mrs. M. {Severely.) Rose, what is this? 

B. {Startled.) Oh ! Is it you, mother ? 

Mrs. M. Yes, it is I. And a pretty sight I see ! A young lady 
in her teens and supposed to be the pink of propriety, allowing a 
man old enough to be her father, to kiss her on the sly. For - 
shame ! 

B. Indeed, it was all a mistake, mother. 

Mrs. M. A great mistake I I grant it. {Aside.) So I have a 
rival in this upstart girl. {Aloud^ You shall repent this folly, 
Rose. 

B. Mother, please listen, nothing was meant. 

Mrs. M. Of course, it usually means nothing when middle- 
aged men kiss girls young enough to be their daughters. {An- 
grily^ So unwomanly an act can not be explained. I have 
learned at last, what your false modesty is worth, girl. 

B. Mother, you are cruel and unjust. {Bursts into tears.) 
Oh, father, if you only knew the trials and sorrows of your 
orphan child. {Drops into a chair and leans her head on the table 
weeping.) 1 wish I were in my grave, too. 

Mrs. M. Tears are useless to wash away stains I 

i?. {Bising proudly and very erect., speaks with pride and 
dignity.) Stains! Mrs. Milford, who dares to speak to me of 
stains ? 

Mrs. M. I, your guardian ! It is my duty to watch over you. 
Be careful you do not step beyond the boundary of obedience. I 
have the power to punish. 

B. I admit yqur power to punish, Mrs. Milford, but remember 
it is also your duty to enquire before you judge so harshly. I ■ 
know not why, but your chastening seems more like vengeance 
than the discipline of a kind guardian. Our lives must hence- 
forth be apart, but remember, a higher power shall judge between 
us, and that power has said, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, 
saith the Lord.'* 

TABLEAU. 

Mrs. M. B C, Bose facing her L (7, with right arm extended 
pointing towards Mrs. M. but a little to the right of her, Mrs. M. 
with anger in her eyes looking directly at Bose. 



14 . UNDER THE LAURELS. 



ACT 11. 



Scene. — Same as in Act I. Time, a few days after Act I. Folly 
^ '" ^ \ curtain rises. 




P. Take a seat, Mr. Brantford. I will call Mrs. Mllford. 
{Exit P., M. B. seats Tiimself) 

B. {Tapping Ms hoot with riding whip.) What a cosy place 
this is. I think I shall move in here myself some day. The 
day need not be far distant, either, if I consulted only the 
mistress of the house. Hark! She comes now. {Lays his whijy 
aside.) 

Enter Mrs. Milford, B. 

Mrs. M. Ah, Mr. Brantford, you are punctual to your appoint- 
ment I see. {Mrs. M. seats herself G near him.) 

B. Yes, but don't you give me any credit for it, Mrs. Milford. 
Punctuality is second nature with me. I am a business man, 
you know. 

Mrs. M. {Laughs) Please do not mention business for once. 
We all know you are a business man. 

B. Now, Mrs. Milford, don't be too hard on the devotee to 
business. You are unnecessarily cruel. You know I have changed 
the old proverb " Business before pleasure " into " Business is 
pleasure." 

Mrs. M. Oh, indeed ! Then 1 would not deprive you of a 
single pleasure for the world and will humor your whim. 

B. Now, don't say whim. Really, that is too hard on a 
fellow. 

Mrs. M. Then I amend it, and say a little pet conceit. 

B. Yes, yes ! fix it as you will. Suit yourself. 

Mrs. M. You don't know how happy I am since the worry of 
settling that will case is over. I knew the court would set that 
will aside. 

B. Exactly ! They couldn't help it. And I am also delighted 
to have the result so agreeable to you. How does Miss Rose 
take the decision which strips her all at once of all her 
property. 

Mrs. M. I am surprised at the indifference of this girl. She 
actually seems to care nothing for money. I cannot understand 
it at all. 

B. Indeed ! "Very philosophic I would say, but very impracti- 
cal. What does the yoimg man say ? 

Mrs. M. He doesn't seem to care, either, but that is easily 
accounted for, as he got nothing, anyway. 

B. As guardian of Miss Rose, of course you will make some 
provision for her education. I suppose she will have a home 
with you ? 



TJNDER THE LAURELS. 15 

Mrs. M. Yes, she is welcome to stay here, though I think 
something of sending her to Col. Warley's. They want a 
servant, a sort of governess and lady's maid, and all sorts. 

B. {Surprised.) Yes, especially all sorts ! That's decidedly 
good ! Mrs. Milford, that I think would not be advisable under 
the circumstances. 

Mrs. M. You speak of education. Is not the most necessary 
education a young lady can have, that which gives her the 
power of taking care of herself? 

B. Yerj true, but the step you contemplate is unnecessary. 
Have you thought that the service at Col. Warley's is hard and 
the pay poor ? 

Mrs: M. People who earn their bread are not always able to 
say where they shall get it. 

B. This I think is an exception, Mrs. Milford. I beg your 
pardon, but I have baen acquainted with your family so long, 
that I feel free to offer advice. I do not advise this step. The 
events of this lawsuit are still fresh in the minds of the com- 
munity. Some feeling is aroused, and such things are better 
forgotten. Your husband was a power in this country. He 
always treated the Mountain Rose, as the girl is called, as his 
own child. It might be well to make no sudden changes in her 
station. 

Mrs. M. I have considered all that. I am her lawful 
guardian and shall do as I please with her. I thought the place 
a good enough one for her. 

B. Why not keep her as your own maia ? 

Mrs. M. I need no maid. If she stays here she must go into 
the kitchen with the servants. I think I shall send her to Col. 
Warley's. 

B. Mrs. Milford, I hope it may not seem presumption if I 
remind you that I have lately performed services for you that no 
one else could perform. 

Mrs. M. You have my sincerest gratitude. 

B. You contemplate making extensive improvements to your 
mansion and on the plantation. A few days ago I negotiated a 
large loan for you. 

Mrs. M. You took a mortgage for it. No further obligations 
are due there. 

B. Yes, I do hold a mortgage oh the estate. I do not wish to 
be unpleasant, but would it not be well to grant the man who 
has done so much one trifling favor ? 

Mrs. M. Then you wish the girl to remain I 

B. I do. 

Mrs. M. She shall but not as lady's maid. 

B. Doubtless she will much prefer to remain here for less 
compensation and possibly fewer privileges. By the way, how 
do you like that new cook I sent you ? 

Mrs. M. Miss Button is an excellent servant. She is very 



16 UNDER THE LAURELS. 

industrious. Her brother, Bob, is a first rate man at farm work, 
and reliable, too, I think. 

Enter Frank, R. 

F. I beg pardon Mrs. Milford. Do I intrude? 

Mrs. M. Oh, no ! come in ! I will go to the library at once 
and write that letter of recommendation for you. I forgot it 
entirely. {Exit, L.) 

B. So you are off at last, Mr. Colewood ? 

F. Yes, at last. 

B. Doubtless you are anxious to test your powers in life's 
struggle. 

F. I am not at all anxious to test my powers with anybody, 
Mr. Brantford, but should the circumstances demand it, I will do 
my best. 

B. {With a sneer) Young men are always enthusiastic. 

F. And unfortunately they are too often confiding. But after 
all a young man's enthusiasm may be a match for an old man's 
duplicity. 

B. Sir, your language is not very clear ; but I understand it 
has been clear at times. You talked a little too much about the 
way the afi"airs of Mr. Milford's estate were adjusted. That was 
doubtless due to disappointment, but my advice is to be 
cautious. 

F. My relations to Mr. Milford's family entitled me to an 
opinion. My sentiments are my own ; I'll speak them when I 
please, Ky. Brantford, and defend them if necessary. 

B. JSTonsense, boy ! I'll not bandy words with you. Don't you 
know I could have you put — well, no matter where, inside of 
twenty-four hours ? 

F. Oh, I've heard that masked men ride through the moun- 
tains at your call. Because the "Regulators" are at your back 
you feel safe in insulting helpless women. Go slow, Ky. 
Brantford! justice may overtake you yet. 

B. {Quickly.) Women! Who made you a defender of 
women ? 

F. The God who gave me a strong right arm, just as he made 
every true man a defender of woman. {Scornfully.) Bah! the 
man who will impose on a woman because God made him 
stronger than she is too contemptible to live. 

B. I can't see, Mr. Colewood, what these fine moral sentiments 
are all about, jealousy possibly inspires them. Jealousy is a 
bitter passion to nourish. Other scenes will do you good, so I 
wish you a swift journey, and for the good of your health I 
advise you to settle outside of the state. 

F. I'll settle where I please and ask your advice when 1 want 
it. Sometime I hope to offer you a little. {Exit, L.) 

B. The young scamp I He means mischief I'll take some 
of that conceit out of him, I warrant, before he is aware of it. 



UNDER THE LAURELa 17 



Enter Rose, R. 

R. Excuse me, Mr. Brantford, I thought mother was here. 

B. Mrs. Milford is in the library for a moment. Sit down, 
Miss Milford. I just called on a little matter of business to-day. 
Among other things your name was mentioned. Mrs. Milford 
thought of getting you a situation as lady's maid but I per- 
suaded her to let you remain here. 

R. Oh, thank you, Mr. Brantford. I am so glad. I am so 
attached to the old home. ' 

B. So I thought. It should still be your home. 

R. I will remember your kindness, JM r. Brantford. {Exit L.) 

B. Gad! I'll excite her gratitude, and a woman's gratitude is 
not to be despised. I'll get that Frank out of the way and then 
all is safe. The widow's eyes will gradually open to the situation 
when it is too late for her to do anything but make the best of it. 
Now I must find Bob, and devise a saife plan for disposing of 
Frank. (Exit R.) 

Enter Mrs. M. a/nd Rose, L, 

R. Mother, I am so glad you have decided that I shall remain 
here ; I so dearly love the old homestead. Why did you not em- 
ploy Frank again instead of a stranger ? 

Mrs. M. I thought it best that he should go. Please ask no 
questions. As for yourself, you need not waste many thanks. 1 
can do nothing better for you than to teach you to work. 

R. With that I am content for the present, if I stay in the 
dear old home. 

Mrs. M. 1 can promise nothing better for the future. But we 
will say no more on that subject. I heard you speaking with 
Mr. Brantford. What was he saying to you ? 

R. Nothing, but that he had persuaded you to let me live 
here. 

Mrs. M. And what did you say to him ? 

R. I thanked him for his kindness. 

Mrs. M. And did your gratitude cause the glow on your 
cheeks when you came to me ? 

R. Mother! 

Mrs. M. Do not strive to conceal anything, I see it all. Your 
conduct IS shameful. How dare you aspire to one so far above 
you? 

R. Oh, mother ! mother ! How can you speak so ? There is 
nothing between Mr. Brantford and me. You know I dislike 
him. 

Mrs. M. But would like his fortune. Do not call me mother. 
I would be ashamed of such a child. 

R. {Sadly, but with dignity.) It is hard to forget the tender 



18 UNDER THE LAURELS. 

terms of happier days. But I will never call you mother again. 
I loved you as one and hoped to w^in your love. My heart 
yearned for a mother's love. But I never knew it. I am only 
Rose Milford and you are my legal guardian. 

Mrs. M. And as your guardian, I shall see that you occupy 
your proper sphere. As you remain here, you had better enter 
at once into your new duties. {Mings hell.) Where is Mr. Brant- 
ford? 

M. I left him here. 

Enter Sooky Button, B. 

Mrs. M. Miss Button, you will hereafter assign work to Rose 
in the kitchen. 

Sooky. Yes, ma'am. {Pronounce tJie aflat. Hesitates.) What 
natur' o' work ? 

Mrs. M. Let her scour and clean 

S. But Polly and the colored girl can do all that. • 

Mrs. M. Do as you are bid ! If there is not enough work for 
all, Polly may do chamber work. 

/S. Laws a me, ma'am, I never thought of disobeyin' orders. 
There's right smart o' work, an' I reckon I'll find plenty that's 
hard enough. 

Mrs. M. You understand my wishes I see. You may go. 

8. Yes, ma'am ! {Exit, M.) 

Mrs. M. {Aside) We'll see if he makes love to a kitchen 
girl. {Aloud.) Rose, you will be taught housekeeping. It is 
best for you. Sooky will expect obedience. 

M. I have never yet disobeyed. {Exit Mrs. M, L.) Only a 
servant ! 'Tis a cruel, cruel ending of bright visions of the future. 
A few weeks ago I was heiress to a large estate, to-day a penniless 
domestic. Better that I had never known wealth. I asked it not 
but the fates thrust it upon me in mockery to take it away again 
and taunt me with my misery. Oh father, it was a cruel blow that 
took you from the child you loved and left the orphan in the care 
of one you trusted. How I loved that woman ; but she spurns 
my love. Oh hate, I must choke you down or you will rise in 
my heart. Even Frank, the brother of my childhood is cold, 
and leaves me to my fate. I who loved him so. 

Enter Polly and iKi&uiobserved^ R. 

M. Deserted by every one, I am indeed friendless and alone 
{Bursts into tears.) 

P. No, Rose, you are not friendless while I live. (Soothes her.) 
Cheer up, you still have friends, if they are poor. 

/. Polly, tell her I'm here too. 

M. Thank you, Polly, and you too, Mr. Hopper. I am so glad 
that you do not forget me. 



UNDER THE LAURELS. 19 

P. It's just as mean as can be sending you to the kitchen, and 
to have that Sooky Button for boss. (Stamps her foot.) I'd like to 
strangle her, so I would. 

/. Now, Polly, be keerful how you talk. You have no idee 
how stranglin' hurts, Onc't I got into a 'lection row down at 
Cliffville, an' two big fellers held me while another choked me. 
I felt sorter like a court-house was a sottin' on top of me. I 
reckon I'd felt right smart wuss than I did if our side hadn't got 
the upper hand pretty soon. 

P. I'd choke her, see if I wouldn't. She's mean as pusley 
and Mrs. Milford isn't much better. 

jS. Polly, it is not proper to speak so about the mistress of 
the house. 

P. I can't help it! 

I. Miss Rose, I ain't much of a hand for fine words an' I can't 
say that I'm exactly a ladies' man sich as the novels read about 
but it you ever need a friend for rough knocks, jest call on Ike 
Hopper. 

a. Mr. Hopper,— 

I. Jest say Ike. 

a. Well then, Ike, I shall not forget you, I assure you. 

/. Now Polly, Sooky will be arter you pretty soon. 

P. Humph ! Let her come. 

Enter Zekb, H. 

Z. I golly, dis is de blightin'est shame I ever seen. It's a dis- 
grace onto de county to take every dollar Miss Rose ebber had 
an' den put her into de kitchen 'long wid de niggers and de poor 
white trash dat ain't fit to black her shoes ; no dey hain't fit to 
black a black's shoes. 

P. Never mind that now, Zeke. It was according to law and 
I suppose it is right. 

Z. Tain't right, if it is law. De law is wusser'n de small pox. 
Dah's Massa Prank, he's gwine away dis evenin, without gettin' 
his own. "Whar's de law in dat? He's desperit blue 'bout it. 
Whah's de law or de jestiss? 

P. ( With interest.) Is Prank sorry to leave ? 

Z. I golly, Missa, he feels jist as if he'd taken a whole hand- 
ful of blue pills an' couldn't dijist 'em. Does for a fac. 

I. His feelings must be allfired strong then, I reckon. 

Z. Powerful strong; strong as garlic or sour kraut! 

P. I wish I was a man ! 

Z. Mebbe de same 'ud happen you as did my brother Mose 
when he was born. 

P. What was that? 

Z. Doan know as I oughter tell it 

P. Then don't! 

/. Yes, Zeke, tell us! 



80 UNDER THE LAURELS. 

Z. Massa Ike, it was pooty tough on Mose. 

/. Out with it. 

Z. He was tongue tied! 

P. You mean thing! 

Z. You see Miss Polly, you oughter wished you wus a white 
man; case if you'd been a nigger you'd had to wish over agin. 
Tell you if I was a white man I'd chaw up sumfin. 

I. A chicken bone, Zeke ? 

Z. No sir'ee, I'd bite off a few buttons! Dat Sooky Button 
she says says she, Zeke, git de brick dust. So she got all de 
knives an' de forks. I says yes, Missa Button, I'll skyower de 
knives ; an' she says, no, Rose 'ill do de skyowerin'. I was so 
mad I nearly said sumfin' but I didn't. 

I. Why didn't you ? Darkies are free now. 

Z. (Shakes Ms head.) No, sar! I jest slipped de knives an' 
forks into de wood shed an' polished 'em up. Missa Rose won't 
do no skyowerin' while Zeke is roun'. 

M. Thank you, Zeke, you are very kind. 

Snter Sooky, M. 

8. Polly, your work is suffering in the kitchen. 

P. What if it is? I'll find it out myself 

8. I shall report you to Mrs. Milford for neglect. 

P. Do if you dare, Sooky Button. I know my place and my 
business. There a/re some things I can report too. 

8. Work must not be neglected. Rose, you will scour all the 
cutlery at once. It's a right smart job an' you'd better be at it at 
onc't. When I've a job to do 1 do it, an' no laggin'. 

Z. (Aside.) I golly, so do I, if it's an easy job. 

I. Miss Button, I reckon you're some on house work. 

8. (Talcing ii as a compliment.) I pride myself that I am, Mr. 
Hopper. 

Z. Missa Button am a reg'lar — reg'lar— a reg'lar gineral in 
de kitchen. 

8. Zeke, I'd teach you to mind your own business if I was 
boss on the plantation. Bob's too easy on you. Listenin' is 
manners, when betters is talkin'. 

Z. Golly ! I 'spose Missa done tole you dat. 

8. (Snappishly.) Humph! I reckon I was brought up to 
know that. Girl, come to your work. (Exeunt, Sooky, Polly, fol- 
lowed hy Zeke and ITce R.) 

R. What a very disagreeable woman. I shall let her get no 
advantage of me. She is a spy for her precious brother Bob, in 
my opinion. Frank leaves soon, 1 hope he will come now to bid 
me good bye. His absence is hardest of all to bear. But he is 
right in choosing another field for his splendid talents. I hear 
bis footsteps now. 



UNDER THE LAURELS. 21 



Enter Frank, L. 



F. Rose, everything is ready and I shall start in time to reach 
Cliffville to-ni^lit, 

B. Frank, I am so sorry you are going. 

F. And I am pained to leave you in such distressing circum- 
stances. A few months have made great ciianges. I don't care 
for myself. A man can make his way anyvthere. 

E. You are sure to succeed, Frank, and when success crowns 
your efforts, think sometimes of the sister you left behind whose 
best wishes will always be with you. 

F. Rose, your kindness encourages me. to say something 
which I had never intended to say. If I make a mistake forgive 
me, is all I ask. I must tell you, Rose, how I love you. Do you 
care tor me ? 

R. Dear Frank, I have always loved you. 

F. How stupid I have been! But your words, dear Rose, will 
make my journey light. 

a. And yours will cheer my lowly station here. Come what 
may, I care not, for old friends are best after all. 

F. That I shall never forget. But time presses. The horses 
are saddled and I suppose Zeke is ready. Dear Rose, remember 
you have enemies here and also trusty friends. Be on your 
guard. I have secured a good place in the adjoining county 
where I can watch over your safety. Confide in Ike Hopper. He 
will be a true friend. I will write to you, and when you are free, 
will come to claim you for my wife. Adieu ! "We'll meet soon, 
possibly. The thought of your love will cheer my hours of 
toil. {Kisses Tier.) 

B. Good bye, Frank ; God bless you. {Exit Frank, L.) Then 
he has not forgotten me because of my misfortunes. I wronged 
him cruelly. He is too noble for that. 

Ent&r Bob Button, B. 

Boh. Good evenin'. Rose. 

B. {Aside.) The insolence! {Aloud.) What did you want, 
Mr. Button ? 

Bob. Oh, I didn't want nothin'. I was goin' to get a chair to 
fix in the library, so I reckoned I'd chat a spell. 

B. {Gyrtly.) I do not care to chat just now. 

Bob. Well, sometimes I feel that'y, too, but I 'low us hired 
folks ort to get acquainted. Sister Sookey says I'm a great feller 
to get acquainted with the girls. 

B. {With temper.) Mr. Button, gentlemen are not usually in 
such a hurry getting acquainted with young ladies.. {Exit, L.) 

Bob. Huffed, byjiminy! Well, young lady, I 'sposed one 
hired hand was as good as another, an' mebbe you'll live to 
think so, too. 



UNDER THE LAURELS. 



Enter Brantford, R, 

B. I've been looking for you, Bob. 

Bob. Well, here I am. What's wanted ? 

B. Now, since young Colewood is going, he may have some 
plan for eloping with that girl. Keep the big brown horse in 
the stable ready to saddle at a moment's notice. Keep your eyes 
open. If she escapes, bring her back. There's danger in it. 
Will you undertake the job? 

Boh. It's just what I'd like. You can bet on me. {Aside.) 
Just the thing for me ! I'd bring her back purty lively. 

B. All right, but in order to make sure, I think the Reg- 
ulators ought to meet at the old cabin to-morrow night. Frank 
Colewood refuses to leave the state. We'll try a little moral 
suasion. {They move to the left while talking.) 

Enter Polly, B, unobserved. She withdraws behind the 
door and listens. 

Bob. On the usual charge of horse stealin', I 'spose? 

B. Yes, that's safest now. He knows that means a rope 
unless he leaves at once. 

Bob. Then I am to notify the Regulators ? 

B. Yes! (Exeunt, L.) 

P. The miserable villains. Horse stealin' means hangin* in 
this country. I'll beat them yet. If Ike was only here. {ExU 
hMtily, E,) 

CURTAIN. 



ACT IIL 



Scene I. — The hminted cabin in the mountains. Meeting nfthe 
Regulators. A deserted cabin. Plain bench, B. Chimney, L. Door 
in fiat, C. Enter Ike and Zeke. Evening. Stage dark. 

I. Now, Zeke, look out for ghosts ! 

Z. I golly, Massa Ike, don't mention ghosts. Dat's a 
solumn subjec'. {Keeps close to Ike.) 

I. Say, Zeke, won't you just go around the corner of the 
house and look for that headless man who has his headquarters 
here ? They say he's about ten feet high. 

Z. {Frightened.) Massa, keep still. Don't mention evil spirits. 
If you do dey'll come shuah ! Shh ! listen ! 

I. It's only the moaning of the wind, Zeke. We must be 
spry and hide ourselves. The Regulators will be here as soon as 



UNDER THE LAURELS. 23 

it gets a little darker. Now, Zeke, screw up your courage. If 
you fail we may both lose our lives if discovered. Don't let any 
ghost nonsense scare you. 

Z. Fore de Lord, dis ain't no funny business ! But dis nigger'll 
take keer o' hisself if dat ten feet man with no head'll tend his 
own business. 

/. I will climb this big chimney and rest on the jambs. I 
can hear all that happens on the inside of the cabin. You must 
hide yourself in the laurel thicket, and see if any parties leave 
before the others and where they go. Can you do it?* 

Z, Yes, sah ! Shh ! shh ! {They listen.) 

/. They are coming now! Quick, Zeke! {Zeke exits hastily 
and Ike disappears up the chimney.) 

Enter Ky., Bob and other Megulators in masks. Ky. and 
Bob remove their masJcs and talk, G front. 

B. Did the Bear Creek boys say that they would turn out ? 

BoJ}. Some of 'em will, but we don't need many. The thing 
will be a complete surprise. 

B. Colewood is stopping at Judge Arman's across the river. 
Don't fail. He must be in the lock-up at CliflVille to-night, then 
if any-thing happens him why nobody will be surprised. Do 
you think there wiil be any attempt at a rescue? 

Boh. No, I 'low not. Nobody'll know till it's all over. To 
night about ten o'clock will be the time I suppose ? 

B. Yes ; how many men are outside with Myer ? 

Boh. Five. 

B. {Turning to others, some of wlwm are conversing in low tones.) 
Men, of course you understand" our business. Frank Colewood 
is suspected of horse stealing. For the present he is to be put 
in the county jail. You had better mount. Myer will lead you. 
{Exit, all hut Boh and Ky) Button, you had better burn that list 
of friendly Regulators I gave you. 

Boh. I 'low so. {Produces match and paper. Sets it on fire 
and throws it into the chimney and turns away.) I don't like 
papers, Ky., they blab sometimes. 

B. Neither do I like them. Hist! I hear hoofs. It is the 
Bear Creek boys. {Notices fire hlazing in the chimney caught 
in ruhhish) I declare, that chimney's afire. You are very 
careless. Bob. 

Boh. Listen ! I could swear I heard a noise on the roof. {The 
fire hums down) 

B. I think it was the boys outside, still I'll make sure. {Exits 
to look) 

*In case it is impossible to represent a fire-place on the stage, Ike may say he is 
going outside to climb down the chimney, or a screen may represent a projection 
ID the wall behind which he may conceal himself. 



U UNDER THE LAURELS. 

Bob. It sounded as if it was in the chimney. (Peers up 
dhimney.) Dark as a stack o' black cats ! Don't like haunted 
houses. {B. re-enters) 

B. It's all riglit. It wasn't even the headless man. An owl 
flew from the roof just as I started out. 

Boh. I think that was a good chunk of an owl to make such 
a noise. 

B. Come, the boys are all ready. {Exeunt) 

Enter Ike, stealthily. 

I. That was a close call ! The dirty cut-throats, they tried 
to roast me ! That owl was sent by Providence, I reckon. 

Enter Zeke, 

Z. I's done got enough of dis yar night's soldjerin. One o' 
dem Bear Creek fellers cut across lots am' nearly rode plumb over 
me as I laid in the bushes. 

/. The villains tried to roast me. 
, Z. Lordy, you's jokin', Ike! 

/. They fired the chimney and I scampered lively to the roof. 
When they ran outside to see what made the noise, an owl flew 
away. Zeke, I wouldn't shoot that owl for a thousand dollars. 

Z. Dat owl was a disposition of Providence. Nothin' short of 
ie Lord A'mighty could o' saved you. Yes, sah, a disposition of 
Providence. 

I. How many were there of them, Zeke ? 

Z. About twenty. 

/. I heard it nearly all. They will arrest Frank at the 
Judge's, and take him to the lock-up at Cliffville. Since the 
jail burnt they put the prisoners in a crazy old log house. We'll 
take him out safe. We'll ride home and tell the Mountain Rose 
not to woriy. We can ride to Cliffville in two hours easy. 

Z. I'm 'fraid der's somefin' goin' to happen. I dreamed las' 
night dat a big black snake long as a pastur' lot was tryin' to 
swaller de biggest kind of a black tom cat. Dat's a bad sign. 

/. Yes, for the cat. 

Z. I tell you dere's somefin' in dat dream. 

/. Suet pudden', Zeke. 

Z. Ike, ef we takes Massa Frank from de Reg'lators I'm 
'fraid dere'll be more'n suet pudding, dere'll be mince meat. 

/. All right, Zeke, I'll risk it. Come on. {Leads out) 

GURTAIN 



UNDER THE LAURELS. 35 

Scene II. — The Gliffville log jail. Wooden bench. A dim tallow 
candle burning stucic in a bottle. A lounge bed, R, and an 
old chair." Door inflate G. Frank a prisoner. Moonlight through 
chinks and grating. 

F. {Seated, G.) They sprung their trap a little sooner than I 
expected, and nipped me. The worst has not come yet. The 
community is excited, and a man charged with horse stealing has 
no opportunity to prove his innocence. Judge Lynch's court is 
in frequent session lately. A designing enemy may cause the 
death of an innocent man. That I have bitter, unscrupulous 
enemies I well know. To die on a tree ! To be hung like a dog! 
{Shudders) ugh! it is too horrible to contemplate. " No, I will 
make one last effort to save her that disgrace. {Rises and looks 
around.) The moonlight through the chinks ! Ah, I had forgotten 
that this is not the old brick jail. Precious time is already 
wasted. {Peers out.) It is past midnight and a terrible storm 
is gathering on the mountains. How vivid that lightning is in 
the distance. The moon will soon be obscured. So much the 
better. Escape is then easy. (Frank tries the door and the grating, 
then examines the walls. The moon vanishes and total darkness 
ensues. Soon a flash of lightning.) Some one approaches! {Glasps 
his forehead.) Oh. God, it is too late! {A flash of lightning and a 
peal of thunder. Noise of unlocking the door. The door opens and 
Bob Button enters masked. He closes the door after him.) Are you 
friend or foe ? 

Bob. {Throwing off maslc) Look for yourself. 

F. Bob Button ! What do you want ? 

Bob. Your life is in my hands. 

F. That may be, but remember it is not always safe to push a 
man at bay too far. 

Bob. Keep still ! {Draws near and speaks in low t&ne.) 'Tween 
you and me, I don't like Ky. Brantford a bit better than you do, 
an' I've no grudge agin you. You always treated me white. 
The Regulators that put you here didn't do it for no thin'. They 
say you're a horse thief. 

F'. They are liars! {Gontinued thunder and lightning with 
gusts of rain.) 

Bob. Oh, keep still ! It'll pay you to listen. They'll be here 
in a half an hour. I'll tell you what I'll do. I'll let you 
out for fifty dollars. You can give 'em the slip and skip the 
country. 

F. I haven't half that amount, Bob. 

Bob. I can't take the risk for nothin'. Now you'd better shell 
out. There's no gettin' away. 

F. But I haven't the money. I have but ten dollars. 

Bob. That ain't likely. Mrs. Milford paid you over a hundred 
dollars. 

F. I am telling you the truth. I disposed of the money. I 
will send it to you if you will trust me. 



26 UNDER THE LAURELS. 

Bob. The Regulators don't do a credit business. If you are 
fool enough to be hung, all right. It's a pity to hang you with 
all that money in your pocket. Then it will be divided, so I'll 
just take my share now. Pull off that coat and vest till I look at 
the pockets. 

F. ISTever ! I told you the truth ; if I must die, I'll die in defence 
of my rights. {Pulls a pocket knife.) 

Bob. Humph ! I thought they took all your weepons, but I S3e 
they left you a tooth-pick. Curse it, I'd shoot you and make 
short work of it if it wasn't for raisin' an alarm. (Pulls immense 
bowie knife.) Now, lay down that ar knife and behave yourself, 
or I'll slice some bumps off you. 

F. Take this knife if you want it. {Bob advances cautiously 
and thrusts at Frank who skillfully parodies. Frank has hastily 
wrapped a large silk handkerchief around his hand which enables 
him to parry safely. Bob gradually gets excited while Frank is 
cool.) 

Bob. Curse that handkerchief ! {Frank gradually works around 
till he is directly in front of the old chair. Bob makes a desperate 
pass which Frank avoids by jnmping aside. Frank seizes the chair 
and before Bob can recover, knocks him senseless and rushes out 
knocking over the candle. Lighting and heavy peal oj thund&r.) 

■ Enter Rose excitedly ap&r a short pause, 

B. Oh, I am too late! too late! the villain has killed him and 
escaped! {Wrings her hands helplessly.) What shall I do! {Bob 
moans.) He is not dead ! Speak to me, Frank ! {Bob rises and 
gets the candle.) 

Bob. {Gruffly) Who's there ? 

B. That is not his voice. Where is he ? 

Bob. {Lights candle.) Oho, my pretty one, the Mountain Rose 
is out late at night. 

R. {Screams) I am betrayed ! 

Bob. Keep still! No screams here! You gave me a lesson 
in manners onc't, now I'll give you one. 

B. Where is Frank Cole wood? 

Bob. He jest stepped out to jine some friends, but I reckon I 
don't complain of losia' his company seein' I've got a good deal 
better. Come, sit down and rest yourself. (Takes her by the 
o/rm to lead her to the bench.) t. , . 

B. Bob Button, don't you dare lay hands on me! (Pushing 
him off with spirit.) 

Bob. Miss, 'praps you better not forgit you are not at home 
now. Be keerful of your temper. 

B. (Sinking on the bench and covering her face with her hands.) 
Oh dear! I'm lost. Oh please let me go ! How can you be so 

cruel I T -, 1 1 

Bob. By jimminy, she's goin' to faint. I don't know what to 



UNDER THE LAURELS. 27 

do with a faintiii' woman. {Tries to soothe her) Rose, you needn't 
"be skeered so bad. Come, sit up. {Tnes to remove her hands from 
her face.) Stop yer poutin', can't yer? Nobody's burtin' you. 

Enter suddenly Ike and Zeke. 

/. Hands off, scoundrel. {Knocks Bob violently across the room.) 
Is there no man about you ? 

Bob. I wasn't doin' any barm ! 

/. You're a mean skulkin' varmint. There is the door ! Now 
git ! {Draws pistol on Bob; Bob starts toward the door.) Zeke, 
hadn't I'better give him pur compliments ? {Kicks Bob as he goe& 
out.) 

Z. Dat's right, Massa Ike. Always give gentlemen your 
respects as dey leave. We's done got here right in de pint o' 
time. In two minnits more it'ud been too late to be soon enough. 

B. Ike, you have saved me ! 

I. Miss Rose, it was very unwise for you to attempt Frank's 
rescue. You should have left that to Zeke and me. 

H. I couldn't bear to stay at home when I feared he might be 
killed. I came across the hills and beat you. 

I. Brave, but reckless ! 

Z. Dat hill road's like ridin' up a tree an' gallopin' on de top 
of it. Didn't break your neck or nuffin ? 

H. {Laughing.) No, Zeke, I came through perfectly sound. 

I. We must be off, the whole gang will be down on us in ten 
minutes. We will separate. Hurry up, there is not a moment to 
lose. {Exeunt,) 

CURTAIN. 



ACT ly. 

SCEITE. — Mrs. Milford's. Mrs. M. seated by window reading. 

Mrs. M. I wonder where Button was last night ? His noc- 
turnal rides are a little mysterious. I must enquire into them. 
{8he rings bell for Polly.) 

Enter Polly, B. 

Mrs. M. Polly, has Robert finished his work in the garden ? 

P. Not yet, ma'am. He is'nt feelin' well to-day and complains 
of a bad headache. 

Mrs. M. Tell him I wish to see him. 

P. Yes, ma'am ! {Exit B.) 

Mrs. M. It is not strange that men have headaches when they 
are out so late riding over the country. It is unaccountable that 
Robert's business calls him away so frequently. 



UNDER THE LAURELS. 



Entm' Bob, i?., Jiead bandaged with handkerchief. 

Boh. Did you want to see me, ma'am ? 

Mrs. M. Polly says you are complaining of a headache to-day. 

Bob. {Uneasy.) Yes, ma'am. I never have had it before so 
bad. 

Mrs. M. You were away very late last night. I heard hoofs 
on the drive some time after midnight. 

Bob. Yes, I wanted to see a man down at Cliff Court- 
House, but could not find him till very late. 

Mrs. M. Doubtless loss of sleep caused your headache. If 
possible I should prefer to have my men at home sooner. Parties 
are abroad sometimes intent on violence and your absence may 
cause suspicion to fall on us. 

Bob. Yes, ma'am. I'll try to be in earlier, after this. 

Mrs. M. There is a liniment somewhere about the house that 
will help 3''ou. 1 will Lave Polly find it. You will feel better if 
you remove that haudkercliief, I think. 

Bob. {Hastily.) Oh, you needn't git any liniment. It's gettjn' 
better now. 

Mrs. M. A little will do no harm! {Exit R.) 

Bob. Hang it, if she gits to foolin' round my head the cat's 
out o' the bag sure. An' there are folks who don't approve of 
last night's doin's. 

Enter Rose, B. 

Bob. Say, Rose, don't you tell what happened last night. 

B. You are not so brave, Mr. Button, as you were then. 

Bnb. I reckon it might look jest as bad for you as for me. I 
•didn't do anything outeu the way, did I? 

B. Nothing but try to murder an unarmed man and insult a 
woman, whom accident placed in your power. 

Bob. Hush, can't yerl There's Ike and Zeke. I kin make it 
purty hot for them. If you tell I'll tell. Ky Brantford will have 
them both dis barged and run out o' the country. 

H. 1 shan't tell! 

Bob All right! Rose, let's be friends. I've tried to be friends 
with you. I know I'm not exactly as good as I might be, but 
somehow I always feel as if I could be better if you would only 
think well of me. 

R. The man who would wrong a woman who is in his power, 
is as bad as a murderer. Your life would not be safe if my friends 
knew of your baseness. 

Bob. Don't tell. Miss Rose, and I'll never trouble you again. 
Don't tell Ike. 

B. I will say nothing on condition you never speak to me 
again, except when your duties make it necessary 



UNDER THE LAURELS. 29 

Bch. {Doggedly.) I'll try, Miss Rose! I'll do anything for yout 
R. {Going aside.) He is not so bold now, the poor coward. 
{Exit, L.) 

Boh. I s'pose I am a fool for carin' for her, and a scamp too, 
for that matter. I've never had much chance to be anything an' 
she was rich and educated. But I can't help likin' her she's so 
pretty. I'd a'most try to be good if she'd marry me. I'm a fool. 
She's so proud an' don't care any more for me than she does for a 
toad. But mebbe I'll git her yet sometime an' she had better 
make a friend of me than an enemy. 

Ent&r Kt., L. 

B. Oho, Bob, I hardly expected to find an able-bodied over- 
seer in the house this fine afternoon. What's the matter, eh? 

Boh. Headache ! 

B. Late hours ! {Laughs) 

Boh. Yes, losin' sleep hurts me mor'n it used to. 

B. This affair has caused considerable talk. Colewood has a 
good many friends. We must keep still. How did you man- 
age it ? 

Boh. I foUered orders. I went to the jailer an' got the key. 
1 unlocked the jail an' told Frank I came as a friend an' that he 
might take his choice, leave the country or swing. 

B. So he concluded to leave ? 

Boh. He left suddint, curse him ! 

B. Hopper knows too much about this affair. Frank must 
have seen him since he got out! 

Boh. I reckon not. 

B. I'm sure of it. They have laid some plans. Keep a close 
watch. Rose may try to escape. 

Boh. (Savagely) See if I don't look out for that. 

B. If Hopper don't behave he'll leave the country too. 

Boh. Tain't safe to fool with Hopper. He has a good many 
friends among the Squirrel Hunters. 

B. Button, don't be a coward. 

Boh. See here, Ky. Brantford, it's not best for you to talk 
about cowards. Where were you time of the war ? Sneakin' 
through the bushes, half union man half rebel but always a good 
ways from danger. 

B. You needn't talk ! You were drafted ! 

Boh. If I was I didn't face ole Grant at Petersburg for nothin' 
I've smelled powder enough in ten minutes to make you sick for 
three months — 

B. All right, Bob, all right! But we mustn't talk here too 
long. Be on your guard. {JExit L) 

Bob. Hanged if I'll risk my neck any longer to do his dirty 
work. He don't care any more for a feller than he does for an' 
old shoe in the load. 



UNDER THE LAURELS. 



Enter Polly and IkB, B. 

P, Bob, I've found the liniment ! 
/. Want me to rub it on, Bob ? 
Bob. I wan't no liniment. Told yer I didn't want it. 
I. Let me rub it on. Bob. 

Bob. Hopper, 'tend to your own business an' I'll tend to mine. 
(Aside.) I'd break his head for a cent. 

Enter Zeke, B. 

P. Ike, don't be too officious. Of course Mr. Button wants 
me to rub the liniment on his head. 

Bob. {Gruffly.) I told you I wanted no liniment. Can't you 
let a fellow alone. 

/. Zeke, can you tell what makes headache ? 

Z. De folks used to say dat ef you got youh haar cut an' de 
birds put it into der nests, dat makes headache. 

/. For the birds ? 

Z. No, for the indivijal wot lost de haar! 

P. Hasn't the atmosphere something to do with it ? 

Z. I 'spect de atmosphere may git out of order and make a 
big crop of headache. Ain't dat so, Massa Button ? 

Bob. Zeke, you're a darnation idiot, an' some day somebody'!! 
hammer a little sense into you. {Bxit^ M.) 

P. Ike, what does ail Bob's head ? 

/. It's a secret, Polly, isn't it, Zeke ? 

Z. A reg'lar blood-thirsty secret. 

P. Oh, pshaw! tell me, I can keep it 

/. I'm afraid not, Polly. 

P. Yes I can. Do tell me I I will make it easier for you to 
keep it. 

/. How? 

P. By helping you to keep it! 

/. Well, I swear, Polly, I hadn't thought of that. I guess I'll 
confide in you, Polly. I'll tell you all I know. {Pauses.) 

P. Well, go on 1 

/. I don't know anything about it myself, Polly. 

p. That's a fib! Ike Hopper, I'd be ashamed to tel! such 
stories. 

/. I said it was a secret, didn't I ? 

P. Yes, and you said you'd tell me. 

/. Well, if I don't know it, isn't it a secret as far as I am 
concerned ? You see he had a little friendly set-to with Frank 
before we got there. I think that Frank must have knocked him 
down and hurt his head. He didn't say. We didn't injure his 
anatomy, did we Zeke ? 

Z. {Rolls his eyes.) I goUy, Isaac, couldn't say. I didn't see 
liis anatomy. 



UNDER THE LAURELS. 31 

P. I'm so glad you spoiled their treacherous plans. Ike, 
what will be done next ? We are still in danger. It's dreadful 
for Rose. 

I. I know it, but I reckon they know by this time she has 
some friends. Frank hadn't time to say much while we talked in 
the cave, but he told us to keep a close watch. He will write, 
and if things get too bad, I'll agree with Zeke's help to take Rose 
where there's no danger. Frank will then marry her, and that 
will fix it I 'low, Polly! 

Z. 'Spect that'll fix anybody! 

P. Then you never could come back, Ike. The Regulators 
would make you scarce. 

I. I wouldn't want to come back. You could follow, and 
maybe we could — 

P. That will do, Mr. Hopper. 

Z, I would settle dar, too. We'd get up a little exodus. 

Enter Sooky, M. 

8. Polly, work's a sufferin'. You mustn't stay away so long. 
I could a took that liniment to town and back. 

P. Then why didn't you take it? 

)S. Laws a me, I can't do everything. I never see'd si^ch a 
set. Rose is gaddin' somewhere, too. Some folks ain't worth 
salt. 

F. And some don't deserve salt. 

jS. It's small wages I'd pay if I were boss of this house. 
Polly, it's time supper was on the table, Mr. Brantf ord is here. 

P. I'm coming! (Ex/t S., R) The hateful old thing. 

/. Polly, keep your temper, you may need it, 

P. I do need it, and I use it every day lately, Ike. 

/. For the benefit of your friends. {Exeunt Polly, i2, Ike and 
ZeJce, L.) 

Enter Rose, L, 

M. I never can forget what Mr. Hopper has done for me, and 
Zeke, too. The poor black can be a true friend. Thank Heaven 
Frank is safe and I can brave their petty persecutions here. Oh, 
how I loathe and fear Bob Button; and not a friend I ca-s 
confide in. She who should be my mother turns a deaf ear to 
all my appeals. I'll never ask a favor of her again. She is 
jealous of me. Goodness knows she is welcome to Ky. Brantford. 
I hate the sight of him. Did I hate her with mortal enmity, I 
could wish her no worse fate than to marry him. He is deep, 
dark and dangerous. My property will soon be his, and we shall 
. all be beggars. Oh, God, why are such wrongs allowed to go 
unpunished ! 

Enter Ky. Braktford, L. 



82 UNDER THE LAURELS. 

B. Ah, Miss Rose, I heard you passing in the hall and could 
not resist the temptation to drop in here. 

B. Have a seat, Mr. Brantford. 

B. (Seats himself, L C.) Take a seat yourself. Miss Milford. 
(Hose seated B, at distance.) Truly this is a delightful place. It 
does me so much good to visit here, Mr. Miitbrd had an 
exquisite taste in selecting a site for his residence, and still 
better, if that were possible, in its adornment. 

B. My father was a man of refined taste. Few men equalled 
him in delicacy and refjiement. 

B. Quite true! he was a man of culture. Culture gives 
refinement. Still, Miss Rose, do you not think that blunt men 
possess the sterner qualities of the man and gentleman in equal 
degree ? 

B. Possibly! 

B. Possibly ! That is not encouraging for the rest of us. It 
is very commendable of you under the circumstances, Miss Rose, 
to call Mr. Milford father. 

B. (With warmth.) He was a true father to me. It was no 
fault of his that others defeated his wishes. 

B. Things may not be so bad after all. Miss Milford, have 
you considered the question which we discussed some time 
since ? 

B. Mr. Brantford, I gave you my answer. It was a positive 
and final answer. Is it manly for you to persecute a helpless 
girl in this manner? 

B. Young lady, I had hoped to find you in a more sensible 
mood. But then there is no hurry. You will change your mind 
yet. This family is in my power. 

B. Mr. Brantford, have you no mercy ? 

B. Yes, for my friends — none for my enemies. Your pride 
shall be humbled, young woman. You shall be my wife. If 
not a happy, cheerful bride, then a sulking, handsome bride. 
Some women's hearts must be broken before you can do any- 
thing with them. 

Enter Ike, suddenly, B. 

I. Ky. Brantford (Shaking M$ fist in Ms face), you are a 
brute ! 

B. And you are a sneaking eavesdropper! What right 
have you to skulk around trying to overhear the conversation of 
ladies and gentlemen ? 

I. I haven't overheard any gentleman. 

B. Leave this room, Hopper, or I can't answer for the conse- 
quences. 

I. I'll answer for them myself. I came here on an errand, 
and have as much right here as you have. 

jB. Gentlemen, please have no disturbance here. 



UNDER THE LAURELS. 33 

B. Fellow, that excuse will not answer. If you came on an 
errand why do you wait to interrupt a private conversation? 

I. I'll not stand and see a woman insulted while I can raise 
a hand in her defence. No man who claims to have a spark of 
manhood in him will act as you've done, Ky. Brantford. You're 
no gentleman. 

B. ( Very angry.) Take that back. Hopper, or I'll break your 
head. {Advances threateningly.) 

I. That we can soon decide. {Squares) 

B. {Excited^ rushes betioeen them.) Please, gentlemen, remem- 
ber where you are. Mr. Brantford, you forget yourself. 

Enter Mrs. M., B. 

B. {Cooling) I have been insulted. 

Mrs. 31. What is the matter, Mr. Brantford? This is a very 
strange scene. Mr. Hopper, did you want anything ? 

I. I just dropped in and Sooky Button asked me to go and 
find Polly. 

Mrs. M. Then go at once, please. {Exit Ike, L) Rose, will 
you please explain this extraordinary scene ? 

a. It is nothing. 

3Ir8. M. You may leave the room. I wish to speak with Mr. 
Brantford. {Exit B, B) Now, Mr. Brantford, I wish to know 
exactly what the trouble is? 

B. Hopper insulted me. 

Mrs. M. I am very sorry. I shall reprimand him. I would 
not for a moment shield a servant in a matter like this, but had 
he no cause ? 

B. He overheard a remark that I made to Rose. 

Mrs. M. May I enquire the subject of your conversation? 

B. Yes ! as her guardian I suppose you have a right to know. 
I merely told her I wished her for my wife. 

Mrs. M. {Surprised) What! you can't mean it? 

B. I do mean it. 

Mrs. M. Have you considered this step ? Have you con- 
sidered her standing and yours ? 

B. I have considered everything, and shall marry the girl. 

Mrs. M. Indeed ! have you considered your relations to 
another person ? 

B. I have, and shall say to that other person now that she has 
built up false hopes upon insufficient grounds. 

Mrs. M. {Angrily) It is false, Ky. Brantford, you are guilty 
of double dealing. I know you at last, but I am not to be trifled 
with, remember. 

B. Pshaw! I have made you no promises. There are no 
letters, drives or moonlight strolls. Don't try any breach of 
promise nonsense. 

Mrs. M. But I have influence, and she shall never be your 
wife. You are not fit to be the husband of any true woman. 



34 UNDER THE LAURELS. 

B. Humph! you have changed your mind very recently! 

Mrs. M. Fool I was that I did not see it sooner. Everybody 
says you are a wretch, now I know it to be true. 

B. Then if that fact is established, let us not discuss it 
further. 

Mrs. M. I am Rose's guardian. I shall never consent. 

B. In a few months more your consent will not be necessary. 

Mrs. M. That brazen girl ! I'll be revenged on her. 

B. She is innocent in the matter. Save your spite for me. 

Mrs. M. Ky. Brantford, beware. I still have influence ; I'll 
expose your knavery. 

B. Mrs. Mil ford, when you speak of your influence and my 
knavery it would be well to remember that you profited by that 
knavery, also that I hold a mortgage on all you possess, and that 
your extravagance has placed the means of payment beyond 
your reach. What have you to say about Hopper's part in the 
aff'air ? 

Mrs. M. I shall learn all the facts from him. 

B. {Bowing coldly.) Thanks, Madam, for the confidence you 
repose in my statement. If a month's wages is due him, perhaps 
you would do well to pay it. He may need the money for 
traveling expenses. 

Mrs. M. Do you presume to discharge my people ? 

B. Oh, I only suggest. If you don't get rid of him, I can, 
that's all ! 

Mrs. M. Oh, Mr. Brantford, please don't drive, him from the 
country ! 

B. (With a sneer.) So you know my power at last! 

Mrs. M. Please, for my sake, don't harm him ! 

B. Well, I'll not harm him. We will give him and that 
nigger just twenty-four hours to leave the country. They are 
already on the black list. 

Mrs. M. {Bursts into tears) Oh, this is too much ! Mr. Brant- 
ford, I beg you will leave my house at once. 

B. Pray, Madam, don't excite yourself. No harm will come 
of it. I will see you when you are more collected. Good day. 
{Exit L.) 

Mrs. M. {Sinks in chair., C.) Oh, the despicable wretch ! To 
think that I ever cared for such a monster ! Thank heaven 1 
know him now, but, alas, it may be too late. He trifled with my 
feelings while he robbed me, and to think of preferring Rose, a 
mere servant. Oh, the shame ! But I may punish his imperti- 
nence yet. (Bxit, M.) 

CURTAIN, 



UNDER THE LAURELS. S5 



ACT V. 



Scene. — Mrs. Milford's. A few months elapse between acts IV 
and V. 

B. {Pacing floor) Once I was not obliged to wait for an 
audience with the charming widow. I was a trifle more 
popular with her then than now. But then we talked more 
agreeable subjects, now we talk business entirely. The mortgage 
is due to-day, and the proceedings for foreclosure will need 
but little time. 

Enter Mks. Milford, L. 

{Bowing formally) Ah, good day, Mrs. Milford, I trust you are 
quite well. 

^rs. M. {Coldly) I am well. I presume you called on 
business ? 

B. I did! 

Mrs. M. Take a seat. {They take seatSy R and L of table) I 
have no money. 

B. Ten thousand dollars is a large sum. 

Mrs. M. It is customary to give a little extension of time, is it 
not? 

B. That is at the option of the mortagee. I informed you in 
my note of my decision. The money must be paid. 

Mrs. M. Brantford, you are a hard man. 

B. Spare your epithets, Madam. Will you pay? 

Mrs. M. I am unable to do so. This is a gross injustice! 
You know that I never received the worth of my money on these 
so-called improvements. I think the contractor and yourself 
could explain why. 

B. Mrs. Milford, this is a waste of words. When the proceed- 
ings were begun to set aside your late husband's will, I think 
you had good reason to suspect that some things about the case^ 
were crooked. That decision put much money into your pocket. 
You kept silent then. 

Mrs. M. It is false ! I supposed everything was done legiti- 
mately. 

B. Then you know very little of business. 

Mrs. M. That I have learned to my sorrow. 

B. There is one way to settle this difficulty which may prove 
satisfactory. 

Mrs. M. What is that? 

B. If Rose will become ^ny wife, she remains here as mistress 
of this house. I will allow her to make a reasonable provision 
for you. 

Mrs. M. She has a strong will and I have little influence over 
her. 



86 UNDER THE LAURELS. 

B. You can at least communicate my wishes to her. 

Mrs. M. You would humiliate me. 

B. Not at all. It's very natural to ask the mother to inter- 
cede with the daughter. 

Mr8. M. I will try. {Exit, R.) 

B. I fancy these headstrong women at last begin to listen to 
reason. Really it is too bad to be compelled to use such convinc- 
ing arguments but Kyle Brantford never failed yet. This time 
I rather think the young lady will change her tune a little as the 
mother has already done. 

Enter Rose, B. 

R. Speak ! I am prepared ! 

B. Oh! I see! Doubtless you are aware of the purport of what 
I am about to say. Your mother is unable to meet her obliga- 
tions. Unless a means of settlement is found the family will be 
homeless and penniless to-morrow. That would really be very 
unpleasant. If you are willing to become my wife I will make 
some provision for Mrs. Milford and you shall be mistress here. 

B. Mr. Brantford, I have already told you twice that I do not 
love you, that I never can love you. "Would you wish a wife whose 
life would be one ever present lie ? My heart is already another's. 

B. And that other will never return to claim it. Why does 
he not write you and fulfill his promise ? Doubtless you will 
learn in time to love me. Remember much depends on your 
decision. In half an hour the sheriff of the county will be here 
to post a notification of sale on the door. Perhaps a brief reflec 
tion would assist you in reaching a final decision. I will saunter 
in the cool breeze while you consider the matter. {Exit, L.) 

R. {Sinks into a chair, C.) The fates seem determined to 
plunge me into this awful pit. What sTmll I do to save myself 
from a fate infinitely worse than death ? Am I deceived in every- 
body? Frank has never sent me a single line though I know he 
is well and prosperous. Brantford is successful in everything. 
First Frank and then Hopper and Zeke were obliged to flee the 
county. Mother was flattered, deceived ; and is now a beggar 
with no power to help me if she would. Polly is my only friend. 
Brantford speaks fair. May be 'tis as well, though death were 
preferable. 

Enter Polly, suddenly, R. 

P. {With joyous manner.) Rose, I've ever such good news! 

R. What is it, Polly? 

P. I've heard from the boys, and Ike is here ! 

jR. Here! 

F. Yes, don't speak so loud. You see I knew there wa& 
something wrong or Frank would write. So I wrote to Ike and 
told him all about it and got him to ask Frank to write to you 
again. 



. UNDEE THE LAURELS. 37 

B. You shouldn't have done that, Polly. 

P. Shouldn't I though! Just read that! {Hands Rose a note.) 

R. (Reads.) 

Dear Rose. — I have written you several times since I left 
home but have never received any letters. I concluded that 
you wished to forget me. But I learn thiough Mr. Hopper, that 
there is a great mistake somewhere. Remember oar .parting 
pledge. I agreed to rescue you in case of danger. I have learned 
many things from Clitfville, and I know you are in danger. Will 
you meet me at the big spring at seven ? 

Yours ever, 

Frank. 
Wliat would you do, Polly ? 

P. Go. 

R. Yes, it is the only thing left. 

P. Ike has come for you. 

R. (Surprised.) Where is he ? 

P. In the kitchen. Sooky is calling on a neighbor but may 
be home any minute. Get ready! I'll bring Ike. (Exit., R.) 

R. How sudden ! It's too good to be true. I never could 
believe Frank false. (Seizes h&r hat.) But I haven't a moment to 
spare. (Puts on hat.) 

Belter Ike and Polly, R. 

R. Ike, I'm so glad to see you. (Seizes his hand) 

I. No more than I am to see you, Miss Rose. 

R. Polly, get my riding skirt, a thick shawl and a pair of 
overshoes. (Emt Polly, L.) Where is Frank ? 

/. Stoppin' at the the ten mile tavern, to-day. He's at the big 
spring by this time. We've good horses. 

R. Hark ! I hear footsteps. It is Sooky Button. We are 
lost ! She is coming here. (Ike pulls sofa from the wall suddenly 
and hides himself behind it.) 

Enter Sooky, R. 

S. Why ! are you by yourself. Rose ? I thought I heard talkin'. 

R. Polly just went up stairs. (Goes to the door i, and calls 
Polly.) Polly, Miss Button wants you. 

3. I didn't say I wanted her. Reckon she may come though 
and be gettin' the turns done. This room hasn't been red up to- 
day, I believe. Looks like it. 

R. (Hastily.) Miss Button, don't you think that is a stain 
coming on the wall there ? (Points in a direction opposite to Ike.) 

S. Like enough. There's a desprit lot o' stains in the 
kitchen. (Going, R.) Send that gal in when she comes. (Exit, R.) 

I. (Crawls out.) That was an awful close shave. 

R. 1 was frightened nearly to death. (In h&r excitement she 
drops Frank^s note.) 



UNDER THE LAURELS. 



Enter Polly. 



P. Here are the things Rose, all in a bundle. 

I. All ready? 

B. Yes! 

I. You go down the path by the orchard, I'll take the road. 
In three minutes we will defy the best horses in the county. 
Goodbye, Polly! 

P. Good bye ! Be smart, an' mighty keerful 1 Good bye, Rose. 

B. Farewell, Polly. {Kisses Tier.) 

P. Take the side gate through the garden. {Exeunt Bose and 
■ Ike, B.) Well that's the excitin'est thing I ever did see. My 
heart's cuttin' up like an alarm clock. If they're found out and 
overtook I reckon we'll all ketch it. 

Enter Brantford, L.. 

B. Polly, where is Miss Milford? {Polly hesitates) Why 
don't you answer, girl ? Where is Miss Milford, I said. 

P. {Starts.) Oh, I beg pardon, sir I I s'pect — I 'low — 

B. Well, what do you 'spect ? 

P. That she is in her room. 

B, Then why didn't you say so ? Call her. (Exeunt Polly ^ L) 
Now for the final aaswer. I think my lady understands the case 
by this time. We will have no more haggling. {8ees note. Picks 
it up and reads.) Why, what is this ? "Meet me at the big spring 
at seven. Yours, Frank." An elopement, curse it ! By heavens, 
I'll not be foiled. They can't be far yet. Where is that block- 
head Button, that I hired for such emergencies ! Drunk or 
asleep, I'll bet. (Looks at his watch.^ Ten minutes before seven. 
They haven't gone far yet. I'll bring her back in spite of fate. 
(Bushes out, L.) 

Enter Polly, L. 

P. There he goes, like a crazy man! and Rose isn't half 
across the orchard yet. It's no use tryin' any more, oh my— -oh — 

Enter Mrs. M., i. 

Mrs. M. Why are you so excited ? 

P. (Excitedly) I'm afraid he'll kill Ike. 

Mrs. M, Who threatens Isaac with danger? Something has 
happened. What is it ? Speak, girl ! 

P. It's dreadful ! Frank sent Ike back to get Rose an' they've 
eloped an' Ky. Brantford is after them. 

Mrs. M. Girl, are you out of your senses ? 

P. No ! But I think you were when you trusted Ky. Brantford. 

Mrs. M. Enough of that ! When did this all happen ? 



UNDER THE LAURELS. 39 

P. {Breathlessly.) Oh, it all happened this minnit an' I'm 
BCart nearly to death. {Bell rings.) 

Mrs. M. Go to the door, Polly. {Exit Polly, L.) What does 
this commotion ail mean ! Will troubles never cease ? 

Enter Polly i, 

SJieriff. Madam, I am the sherijQf of Cliff Comity. 

Mrs. M. I have expected you. Do your duty and advertise the 
place for sale. I am helpless. 

Sheriff. Do not be alarmed, madam, unnecessarily. Just now 
my business is with Mr. Brantford. 

Mrs. M. He was here a few moments ago and I am expecting 
him again. 

Sheriff. Then I will take a turn on the lawn till he arrives, 
{Exit, L.) 

Mrs. M. I cannot endure this suspense! {Exit L) 

P. I'm in a dreadful worked up perdicament. I'll just go up 
stairs and look if Rose is still in sight. {Exit^ M.) 

Enter Rose and Brantford, L. 

B. {Ironically) Your short walk has put a glow in your 
cheeks. Really it has improved your appearance very much. 

R. {Indignantly) Mr. Brantford, hitherto I have endured 
your insults in silence. But I will do so no longer. You have 
defrauded us of all we possessed, let that satisfy you. You have 
acted under semblance of law, but when you lay hands on me to 
detain me, you violate law ! I will have you arrested for assault. 

B. Humph! Better save your time and trouble! I know 
something of the law in this county. You were about to do a 
foolish thing and I prevented you. The judge will only say 1 
was your benefactor and admonish you. Besides, when a young 
lady is caught attempting to elope the less she says about it the 
better. It doesn't look well, my dear ! 

B. Don't call me your dear ! Brantford, leave this room ! 

Enter suddenly L.^ Frank, Sheriff, Ike, Zeke, Mrs. M., Polly, 
Bob, and followed in a moment hy Sooky Button. 

F. The sooner the better! Coward, how dare you insult a 
helpless girl ? 

M. Oh, it is Frank ! {Rushes to Ms side.) 

F. Yes, dear Rose, I will protect you now. 

B. I hardly expected, young man, that you would come to 
boast of your latest exploit ! Are you sure you can protect your- 
self? 

F. I have not come to boast but to claim my own and defend 
the rights of others as you shall presently see. {Nods to the sher- 
iffwTw steps to front, L. G., passing Ky.) 



40 UNDER THE LAURELS. 

B. Mr. Blake, have you notified Mrs. Milford of the sale of 
these premises ? 

Sheriff, I have not. Instead I have a paper which interests 
you.. .It is a warrant for your arrest on charge of conspiracy. 

B, {Starting hack.) My arrest ! I'll never be taken ! Stand 
back ! {Draws pistol.) 

Sheriff. Seize him, boys ! ( Zeke and Hopper suddenly pinion 
Brantford and he is disarmed . If the company think proper this 
scene may he worked up a little and the pistol discharged.) 

B. You shall all rue this ! You don't know me yet. 

I. Keep cool, Mr. Brantford. There's no Regulators here 
but there are half a dozen Squir'l Hunters on the porch. {Boh is 
seen slipping out.) 

Sheriff. Robert Button is an accomplice! Seize him! 

I. (Gatching Boh.) Robert, {with comical expression) the 
county jedge wants you. The sheriff 'ill interduce yer, I reckon. 

Boh. I haint done nothin'. 

Sheriff. The less you talk the better for you. 

Mrs. M. What is the meaning of all this company, Mr. Blake ? 

Sharif. The prisoners are charged with conspiring to defraud 
the heirs of the late Asa Milford. The proceedings in the settle- 
ment of the estate will all doubtless be set aside, thanks to the 
indefatigable efforts of Mr. Colewood. 

' S. Laws to goodness ! brother Bob don't know the least mite 
about a conspiracy. He never seed one in his life. He is as 
innocent as a — 

Z. A yalligator ! 

Sheriff. Come, Brantford and Button, we must go. Don't be 
downcast. There's plenty of company outside. {Exeunt Sheriff 
and prisoners, L.) 

S. {Following.) You're all a pack of dirty scamps! If you 
hurt Bob I'll scald every one o' you. {Bxit, L.) 

F, {Taking Moseys hand.) Dear Rose, our anxieties shall soon 
end. 

B. I cannot tell you how grateful and happy I am, and it is 
all so sudden. 

Z. Dat pistol whopped out sort o' suddent. 

F. The villains interrupted all my letters ! but I toiled to 
collect evidence. I determined you should have your own. I 
feared to wait longer and determined on your rescue, and 
strangely enough the sheriff was ready just as we came. 

B. How could I ever lose my faith in you? Forgive me! 
{Ike and Polly whisper aside.) 

F. There is nothing to forgive. 

Mrs. M. It is I who must ask your forgiveness. I weakly 
yielded to the promptings of vanity and avarice. I have done 
you both a great wrong. Children, can you forgive me ? I, too, 
have suffered. 

F. With all my heart! 



UNDER THE LAURELS. 41 

JB. I am too happy to refuse did I wish it, and I, too, forgive 
you, Mrs. Milford. 

I. Polly, hadn't we better jine hands ? 

P. I think so, Ike. 

Z. I golly, dere's only a vacancy for me. 

/. You'll find somebody, Zeke, to fill the vacancy, 

Mrs. M. {To Frank and Rose.) May heaven bless the union 
of two such loving hearts. {To Frank.) And may the devotion of 
the lover live in the affections of the husband. 

F. {Puts Ms arm around Hose's waist.) Dear Rose, this shall 
fulfill the wishes of our father and benefactor as he breathed his 
last Under the Laurels. 



DISPOSITION OF GHABAGTEBS. 



L. 




C. 




B. 


Ike and Polly. 


Frank. 


Rose. 


Mrs. M. 


Zeke. 



NOTHING BETTER 



than the 
SCRAP BOOK RECITA- 
TION SERIES. 



Now Ready, No. 1. 
Price, postpaid, Cloth, 50 cents ; Paper, 25 cents. 

" The selections are choice in quality and in large variety." — 
Inter-Ocean, Chicago. 

" Jt excels anything we have seen for the purpose." — Eclectic 
Teacher. 

"^ The latest and best things from our popular writers appear 
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CONTENTS OF NO. 1. 



Keep the Mill A-going. 

Faces in the Fire. 

In School Days. 

The Two Roads. 

Extreme Unction. 

Baran Grimalkin's Death. 

Words and Their Uses. 

Fritz's Troubles. 

Two Christmas Eves. 

An Interview Between the School 

Directors and the Janitor. 
To the Memory of the late Brigham 

Young. 
How Liab and I Parted. 
Old Grimes' Hen. 
The Average Modern Traveler. 
At My Mother's Grave. 
The Newsboy's Debt. 
Mrs. Potts' Dissipated Husband. 
I See the Point. 
The Professor in Shafts. 
Mr. Sprechelheimer's Mistake. 
God's'Time. 
The Little Folks. 
The Old Schoolmaster. 
The Revolutionary Rising. 
Pat's Letter. 
How to Go tu Sleep. 
Nothing. 

De Pen and De Swoard. 
A Greyport Legend— 1797. 
The Life-Boat is a gallant Bark. 
•Birthday Gifts. 
The Superfluous Man. 
Sockery Setting a Hen. 



The Water that Has Passed, 

Medley— Mary's Little Lamb 

The Launch of the Sbdp. 

Aunt Kindly. 

Evening at the Farm. 

Battle of Beal An' Duine. 

Passing Away. 

Mark Twain and the Interviewer. 

Daybreak. 

True Life. 

M )dern Loyalty. 

UntiniHhed'Still. 

Allow for the Crawl. 

The Silent Tower of Bottreaux. 

Gentility. 

The Drunkard. 

The Poetical Patch Quilt. 

Wnat is Life? 

Art Thou Living Yet? 

New Year's Chime. 

Song of the Chimney. 

A Domestic Tempest. 

Common Sense. 

How Mr. Coffin Spelled it. 

The Old Man in the Palace Car. 

Ego and Echo. 

A Night Picture. 

A Penitent. 

Rum's Ruin. 

The Babies. 

What Is It to Me? 

Our First Commander. 

Horseradish. 

The Doom of Claudius and Cynthia. 



For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price. 

T. S. DENISON, Publisher, 

CHICAGO, ILL. 



arwro ghosts in white. 

A humorous farce based on boarding-school life ; 7 female characters. Time, 
25 m. Very funny throughout, and contains some excellent hits. 

THE ASSESSOR. 

A humorous sketch illustrating the difficulties of an assessor in listing the pro- 
perty of a shrewd old farmer. Full of unexpected developments ; 3 male and 2 
female. Time, 15 m. 

BORROWING TROUBLE. 

A ludicrous farce ; 3 male and 5 female. Time, 30 m. Illustrates the very amus- 
ing trials of a borrowing family. Philanthropic gent, doctor, newspaper reporter, 
wmking ladies, old lady gossip, colored servant girl. 

" Borrowing Trouble fully sustained the excellent reputation gained by its 
author. It brought down the house."— if adisow ( Wis.) Democrat. 

COUNTRY JUSTICE. 

A very amusing country law suit ; 8 male characters. (May admit 14.) Time, 
15 m. Contains a very remarkable verdict. 

THE rUIL-BACK. 

A laughable farce ; 6 female. Time, 20 m. Contains an excellent old-fashioned 
" old lady " character. Pictures her adventures among the devotees of fashion. 

HANS rON SMASH, 

A roaring farce in a prologue and one act; 4 male and 3 female. Time, 30 m. 
Contains an excellent humorous Dutch character. This is a very popular farce. 
Country life. 

" Hans brought down the house."— Z>fi Van Vleck, Deep Biver^ Iowa. 

"Our Literary Association has presented upward of fifty dramas and farces, but 
never had any take like th&t.''''— Secretary Chelrntford Center (Mass.), Literary 
Association. 

ON THE BRINK, 

Or, the Reclaimed Husband. 

A temperance drama in two acts, by H. Elliott McBride : 12 male and 3 female. 
Time, 1 hour, 45 m. Seven of the characters have unimportant parts, and some 
of the parts are so arranged that the same pei-son may play two parts. Yankee 
comedian, old bachelor in search of a wife, old maid in search of a husband, the 
insane wife, etc. 

" We rendered On the Brink a number of times very successfully to crowded 
houses." — Dramatic Club., Cordova, Minn. 

A PARLOR ENTERTAINMENT. 

A sketch, by H. Elliott McBride ; 2 male and 5 female. Time, 25 m. A first r-Lo 
piece for boys and girls in school exhibitions. Very amusing. 

OUR COUNTRY. 

A patriotic drama in three parts. Requires 9 male, 3 female. (Admits 9 male, 
15 female.) Four fine tableaux. Time, about 1 hour. Based on Colonial and 
Revolutionary history of IT. S. The narration is lively enough to make it take 
well. It contains some striking situations. 

" Our country took so well, that we repeated it to a crowded house. "-^^«/ 
Sweeney, Winslow, III. 

A BAD JOB. 

A highly ludicrous farce, by H. Elliott McBride ; 3 male, 2 female characters. 
A tragedy man, a poetical man, a simple minded youth, a fickle young lady and 
a widow. A taking piece, if rendered by those who properly appreciate the ludi- 
crous. Time, 30 m. 



...LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 

016 112 407 2 



THE SCHOOL MA'AM. 

A brilliant comedy in lour acts; 6 male, 5 female. Time, 1 hour, 45 m. 
This play is not a mere tissue of imaginative incidents. There ie scarcely an 
incident in it but has had its counterpart in the workings of our public 
schools. It contains a good comic Irish character, an American " Mrs. 
Gamp," a "self-made man" (poor job), and the typical American "■School 
Ma'am," anxious to succeed, but beset with difficulties. Every teacher, every 
director, every citizen, should read it as a hook, whether you wish it as a play 
or not. 

THE IRISH LINEN PEDHLEB. 

A lively farce ; 3 male, 3 female. Time, 45 m. The action is lively, the 
incidents unexpected and ludicrous. Pat 0"'Doyle, the peddler, is a combina- 
tion of wit, drollery, cunning and impudence. 

THE KANSAS IMMIGBANTS; or, The Great Exodus. 

A roaring farce ; 5 male, 1 female. Time, 30 m. Contains two darky 
characters. Excrutiatingly comical. Cannot fail to be a popular farce. 

IS THE EDITOR IN? 

A farce ; 4 male and 2 female. Time, 20 m. Scene, a country newspaper 
office. Very amusing. '- 

A REGULAR FIX. 
A farce, by J. Madison Morton ; 6 male, 4 female. Time, 35 m. Very popular. 

MT TURN NEXT. 
A capital farce, by T. J. Williams; 4 male, 3 female. Time, 45 m. Illus- 
trates the difficulties an apothecary encountered through marrying in haste. 

A KISS IN THE DARK. 

A farce, by J. B. Buckstone; 3 male, 2 female. Time, 40 m. A highly 
successful farce. 

THE PERSECUTED DUTCHMAN. 
A farce, by S. Barry; 6 male, 3 female. Time, 40 m. Good. 

LIMERICK BOY {Faddy Miles.) 
A farce, by James Pilgrim; 5 male, 2 female. Time, 40 m. A tip-top 
farce. 

I'M NOT MESILF AT ALL. 

A farce, by C. A. Maltby ; 3 male, 2 female. Time, 25 m. Very funny. 

A BOUND VOLUME 

Of plays, containing the first ten plays in this catalogue, substantially and 

handsomely bound m muslin, gilt stamp. "Will be sent, postpaid, for $1.35. 

FRIDAY AFTERNOON SERIES. 

A collection of original, lively dialogues suitable for boys and girls in 
school entertainments. Some of the dialogues contain both male and female 
characters; some are for boys alone; some for girls alone. All are short. 
Price, 25 cents. 

SCHOOL AND PARLOR TABLEAUX, 
By Sara L Stocking. A choice collection of original tableaux for school, 
church, and parlor entertainments. They embrace a wide range of subjects, 
from the classical to the comic. The historical tableaux admit the use of 
beautiful costumes, and cannot fail to please. Full instructions given as to 
costume. The comic tableaux are simple and easily prepared. Price, 25 cts. 

SCRAP-BOOK RECITATION SERIES, NO. 1, 

By H. M. Soper, Professor of Elocution. A choice collection of fresh read- 
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to make a collection chiefly of choice vcw jneces, which cannot easily be 
found elsewhere. The editor's extended experience in teaching elocution has 
admirably qualified him for discriminating as to what is really adapted to 
elocutionary purjjoses. "While snecial care has been taken to find new and 
rare pieces, nothing has been admitted which does not contain real merit. 
Price, 25 cents. 

T. S. DENISON, Chicago. 



